2019 Tacoma Entune Head Unit Solutions

So I think it's a fairly unanimous opinion that the Entune system, regardless of flavor, is terrible. Especially since they waited until 2020 to add in Apple carplay and a number of owners here have mentioned flat out being lied to by salespeople about their 2019 Entune system receiving an update that would include Apple carplay, myself included.

I have a 2019 with the Entune Premium system... including the wonderful GPS that leads you to roads that have been closed for 2+ years and frequent traffic jams. Obviously most native GPS solutions aren't great, so hence my desire for Carplay so I can have google maps show on screen for directions.

I'm not too keen on the options I've found for aftermarket head units (I'd prefer to keep things looking stock as possible).

I recently found a link to a 2020 Tacoma head unit for sale ($1500, yikes), and it looks like the connections have significantly changed. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2020-Toyot...on-8-Radio-CD-ENTUNE-3-0-FACTORY/293490310460

So I'm not sure if that would successfully swap in.

My other idea, which again, connections look a bit different would be swapping in the Entune 3.0 system from a 2018 Sienna. This actually looks IDENTICAL on the back to the one in the 2020 Tacoma. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-2020-...een-Premium-Entune-3-0-Radio-OEM/153759488140

I haven't seen one of these in action and not sure if it would even fit the opening that we have in the Tacomas, but it looks similar in size. Link to what the back of the 2019 Tacoma Entune stereo has: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...-9cc6-9aacc69206a6_1024x1024.JPG?v=1509126205

Anyone have thoughts on this? Or tried either option? I would love to be able to use either one of those in place of what I have today.

 

I have also been researching this option having just got an amazing deal on a 2019. Looks like the Corolla could also be a contender.

 

I like your thinking on the Corolla and Sienna swap

 

Good luck. Im always impressed by the efforts and money people will throw out there just to keep things essentially stock. There are some options for screen mirroring I believe, not plug and play though, but less money than getting a new HU.

The stock HUs in pretty much all current Toyotas fall short of aftermarket options. I've swapped the HU on my previous Tacoma and 4runner, and just picked up a Kenwood with wireless carplay for my Tundra. Total out of pocket will end up being right under $500 to get the unit, dash mount and harness.

Ill end up with wireless carplay, apps, glass capacitive touch screen, audio signal that isnt attenuated at high volumes and has an actual flat signal, 13 band EQ, and so forth. Basically you can get better than stock, for less than stock, if you're willing to let go of the need to stay stock.

 

Care to share what setup you’re going with?

 

Sure, its for the Tundra, but obviously you can make it work with a Taco.

Kenwood DMX906s, picked it up for $400 due to an auto show discount, very good deal but last years model the 905s can still be found for $400.
Scosche dash mount and SWRTY-61n harness. I dont personally use the idatalink Maestro. It's nice and adds a bunch of features that stock doesnt have, but it cost 3x as much as the

$76 Crux SWRTY-61n Radio Replacement with SWC & OE RVC Retention (for Toyota Vehicles 2012-Up)

Crux SWRTY-61n. All the steering controls worked with the Crux on my Taco and 4runner.

Feel free to ask more questions, I'd be glad to help anyone with their decision. Just a CYA though, not hating on anyone wanting to keep things as stock as possible, I get it, somewhat. For me, its just like I said, aftermarket is cheaper and usually better than the stock options.

 

I'm going insane too since my dealer is promising a firmware upgrade for my base headunit - BS. that'll never happen.

So i'm researching aftermarket. I've bounced between some Sony options and now Kenwood.

People bash those of us who want to get a stock unit - the reason most want a stock headunit or oem is b/c it blends into the dash nicely and looks good. Obviously performance is another issue.

I like the HD weather app on the stock unit, I like having the temp and forecast right there. I need that information.

I'm def going to do the subaru tweeters. And then look at upgrading the doors.

 

I keep seeing this thing about Subaru tweeters on here and am confused. Isn't Subaru a whole different car brand? Why would people wanna take speakers from some other car brand of all things and put 'em into a Tacoma?

 

It's a higher quality version of the same speaker. See below (Stock Tacoma speaker on the left, Subaru on the right):

 

Subaru and Toyota have been sharing parts for a while. Note how a Subaru from the same year as your Tacoma makes the exact same beep noise when you lock/unlock the car.

Also, on the head unit front, if you've ever been in a 2016-2018 Subaru (I had a WRX) the UI on it is dead up the exact same as the Tacoma.

 

What year is your truck and get me the radio number on the faceplate.

I'll check for a upgrade availability.

 

I'll piggyback off this... I have a 2019 and the radio has 510365 on the front. Any hope?

 

Anyone have any experience with this?

https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/alpine-halo9-toyota-tacoma-ilx-f309tcm

Seems to be tacoma specific and retains a lot of the "stock" feel to all of the controls. I really want to up grade the stereo but don't like my vehicles looking janky and want to the steering wheel controld to operate normally. Although the factory GPS isnt that great, i would miss it since you dont need cell service to use it.

 

E tune premium 510365 has an update

Ref:

TSB 0003-20

 

These updates have nothing to do with adding features etc.
Only address glitches

 

want... been looking at this model for awhile. not overly a fan of the floating screen as I like clean lines but it is a pretty slick unit.

 

510361

 

I'm looking at this:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10152184-9999.pdf


My truck was in the dealer about a month ago. They didn't say there was an update available at that time. They said they were waiting on one.

 

Have to wait till Monday now when I get back to work.

Still need truck year.

I’ll let you know

 

2019 SR5



Checked here, don't see anything - doesn't mean dealer might not have something for us but the bluetooth skipping is my main issue I'm having.
https://securedp.toyota.com/download-app/downloads